Anti-polio drive targets 2.7m children in K-P

Emergency Operations C e n t e r K h y b e r Pakhtunkhwa is gearing up for a crucial SubNational Immunization Drive (SNID) set to commence on August 7.

The campaign aims to vaccinate over 2.72 million eligible children against the crippling poliovirus in selected districts of the province.

During the initiative titled Sub-National Immunization Days, Outbreak Response (SNID/OBR), dedicated teams will administer the oral polio vaccine (OPV) to all eligible children under the age of five in eight complete and nine partial districts of the province.

Additionally, in districts Peshawar and Khyber, a fractional dose of Inactivated Polio Vaccine will be given to children aged 4 to 59 months to bolster their immunity and protect them from lifelong paralysis.

The decision to conduct this campaign was made during a high-level meeting chaired by Additional Secretary Health for Polio Eradication and EOC Coordinator, Muhammad Asif Rahim, at the Provincial Emergency Operations Center (PEOC) on Friday.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Coordinator EOC Muhammad Zeeshan Khan, as well as representatives from UNICEF, WHO, NSTOP, health department officials, and other stakeholders.